A little more than eight years ago, Hillary Clinton was well ahead of the Democratic race for the White House, and watched as then-Sen. Barack Obama started to catch fire.
On Jan. 7, 2008, after months of being behind Clinton by roughly 20 points, Obama started to surge, and was within 8 points away, according to an average of national polls. Clinton seemed to feel the pressure of the surging challenger, and on the same day, she teared up when asked how she stays so upbeat.
“I have so many opportunities from this country,” she said as her voice choked up. “I just don’t want to see us fall backwards,” she said as she teared up.
Whether it influenced the outcome or not, no one can be sure. But Obama quickly moved past her in the polls and secured the Democratic nomination, and the White House. Maureen Dowd of the New York Times memorably said that what made her break down “was the prospect of losing.”
Eight years and a few weeks later, Clinton faces a similar situation, as Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., is finding some momentum. Polls from 10 days ago put him within 8 points of Clinton, the same “cry zone” that prompted tears from Clinton in her last race.
Later polls put her in slightly better shape, ahead by 13 points or so. But pundits continue to remind voters that all the young, energetic voters are siding with Sanders.
The Wall Street Journal says it’s time to take Sanders seriously as a possible nominee. Ben & Jerry’s has even named a new flavor after Sanders.
Were her tears a genuine product of the pressures all candidates for the White House face? Were they a tactic? Either way, a continued Sanders surge, calls for Clinton to show a greater connection to voters, and the impending Iowa caucus may well mean a repeat of Clinton’s water-shed moment in 2008.
